Commission approves €1 million Lithuanian scheme to support tour operators repatriating travellers in context of #Coronavirus outbreak 

The European Commission approved a €1 million Lithuanian scheme to support tour operators that had to repatriate travellers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the state aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants and will amount to 75% of the expenses incurred by the operator to repatriate travellers from abroad between 26 February and 31 March 2020.

The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that the affected tour operators are facing because of the repatriation costs. The Commission found that the Lithuanian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support per company will not exceed €800,000 and will be granted no later than 31 December 2020. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU state aid rules.

More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58476 in the state aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

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